Tennis Championship Sunday on Daniel Island!

 Free tickets? Yes please! 

Still subscribing to the daily newspaper has its benefits, an obvious one being staying informed of current events, especially local ones. 

Charleston’s daily, The Post and Courier, occasionally offers additional benefits such as free access to places and happenings. Such was the case on Sunday, April 5 when Alesia and I attended the final day of the annual WTA Credit One Charleston Open (COCO for short). The Women’s Tennis Association tournament held at first-rate facilities on Daniel Island is the traditional beginning to the women’s clay court season.

As I’m writing this the French Open in Paris has just begun. This reminded me that I should do a post about last month’s Charleston competition. 

I visited Roland Garros, site of the French Open, in 2017. See my post and pictures here. 

I had applied for free tickets after seeing the offer in The Post and Courier several weeks earlier. I received an email on a Tuesday I think it was asking if I wanted to attend that evening. My work prohibited that from happening, so I figured I missed my chance. But then, later in the week, I received another email saying I could get two free tickets to the Sunday matches. 

Daniel Island Taphophile Talk

 

My “Tales of a Taphophile” presentation went well on May 21 to members of the Daniel Island Historical Society. The room was full in the parish hall of the Church of the Holy Spirit. What a great turnout! 

My spirits were high to finally take the stage (or the altar as it were) for this event set up maybe six months ago. 

The members were very attentive and many questions followed my approximately 40-minute PowerPoint titled “Tales of a Taphophile: From Magnolia Cemetery to the Churchyards of Charleston.”

The talk is based on these two books: 
"In the Arms of Angels: Magnolia Cemetery- Charleston's Treasure of History, Mystery and Artistry." 

And "Stories from the Underground: The Churchyards of Charleston." (both are available from Amazon). 

“Taphophile” as I have come to know from my talks is a word many people do not know. A taphophile is someone who is passionate about cemeteries, gravestones, funeral customs and rituals. 

Fellow taphophile, the Crypt Chick, gives her "Tombstone Tourist" story on her blog.

So, yes, I’m a taphophile! Nice photo taken by Alesia. My mother says I look "presidential" lol.

It was great having Alesia with me. She looked stunning in her new dress. 

I signed and sold a number of books too, and it was great meeting many kindred spirits who also appreciate history. 

Many thanks to Beth Bush who invited me to speak to her organization. Beth was out of the country so Lee Ann Bain, a top Charleston tour guide, helped coordinate things and also introduced me. 

My thanks also go to Angela Williams whom I met last summer (see my blog post here). She told me about the Daniel Island Historical Society (she was a speaker a few years ago) and suggested I contact the group. 

Alesia and I celebrated afterward at Macs, a fun sports bar on the island. 

I have more book events in June and July that I’m sure to post about. 🥂